By Mary Tucker | Senior Communications and Content Manager | IAEE
The Fourth of July may mark the end of fireworks season for most Americans, but the political sparks are just getting started for the exhibitions and events industry. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the policy landscape in Washington, D.C. is as consequential as ever for trade show professionals, event organizers, venues and suppliers alike.
That’s why IAEE is sitting down with Tommy Goodwin, President & CEO of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), ahead of his upcoming webinar: Post-Independence Day Fireworks? ECA Political and Policy Update. Fresh from a record-breaking ECA Legislative Action Day, he will fill webinar partipants in on the industry advocacy work shaping the second half of 2026.
With more than two decades of government relations experience, Tommy advocates for the $396 billion business events industry. He has a front-row seat to the decisions being made on Capitol Hill, and in the White House, that directly affect what happens on the exhibition floor.
Here, Tommy shares his insights on the political and policy forces affecting the exhibitions and events industry – from the momentum building on Capitol Hill to the specific legislative developments every industry professional should have on their radar – and why getting involved in advocacy has never mattered more.
Let’s start with big congratulations on a record-breaking ECA Legislative Action Day! What stood out about this year’s day on the Hill and why do you think participation was so outstanding?
Tommy: Thank you! This year, 226 indsutry leaders and advocates came to Washington, D.C., for nearly 150 meetings with lawmakers in support of ECA’s 2026 public policy priorities. More than a day on Capitol Hill, Legislative Action Day is a demonstration of the power of in-person events and what happens when our industry comes togrther with a shared voice and purpose. ECA is incredibly grateful that more and more people across the industry are taking time out of their busy schedules to be part of the action.
Here’s a quick recap:
For those who may not follow Washington closely, why does the current political climate feel especially significant for the exhibitions and events industry?
Tommy: What happens in Washington, D.C., and other capitals across the country and around the world, has never had a bigger impact on what happens on the show floor. From international travel and tariffs to workforce development and sustianabitliy, public policies are having an outsized impact on attendance, costs, workforce shortages and more. It feels like everything in our lives is being impacted by politics and policy these days, and the exhibitions and events industry is not immune to that.
What are one or two policy developments from the first half of 2026 that are having the most direct impact on show organizers and exhibitors?
Tommy: For the last year and a half, tariffs have been front and center. While the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s emergency tariffs in February, he has been working overtime to introduce new tariffs since then. Unfortunately, the industry will operate in a high-tariff environment for the foressable future, which will impact rising costs. At the same time, fewer international exhibitors and attendees are coming to U.S. events due to current travel policies and perceptions. It remains to be seen whether the ongoing World Cup will mark a turning point here.
The ECA represents a broad ecosystem of stakeholders, from exhibitors to venues to destinations. When you’re advocating on Capitol Hill, how do you build a unified message across such a diverse group?
Tommy: Success in Washington, D.C. requires consensus building and message discipline. When IAEE and ECA’s other associations come together to support a unifed set of policy priorities and speak with one voice, policymakers take notice. That’s why ECA has been successful in helping to secure funding to reduce visa wait times, expand federally-funded workforce development opportunities, protect the industry from scammers and more. Those examples show the power of working together for the greater good of the industry.
Looking at the second half of 2026, what should the industry be watching most closely and what surprises, if any, might be coming that people should be on the lookout for?
Tommy: ECA is deeply engaged on two emerging issues. Recently, the U.S. government has proposed sweeping changes to grant policies that would stifle federally-funded conference participation and impact venue safety and security. ECA strongly opposes those changes and folks across the industry can share their perspective through the ECA Advocacy Network Action Center. ECA is also exploring potential changes to customs rules that could impact how exhibitors from abroad bring goods into the U.S.
Advocacy can feel abstract to many industry professionals. What are the most practical and impactful ways someone can get involved and make a real difference on these issues?
Tommy: The ECA Advocacy Network allows anyone in the industry to get involved whether they are in the office, on their phone, or even on the show floor. ECA can help industry leaders and advocates can email their members of Congress, get advocacy social media to post, write an op-ed or letter to the editor to their local newspaper or media outlet, and host policymakers at events they are part of. If you are reading this, ECA wants you to get involved and make your voice heard!
Click here to register for Post-Independence Day Fireworks? ECA Political and Policy Update and learn more about upcoming IAEE webinars here.
The post What’s Next for Our Industry in Washington? A Conversation with ECA’s Tommy Goodwin appeared first on IAEE.
